Cartridge refilling device for caulking guns and the like



May 26, 1964 1.. .1. WEGMAN CARTRIDGE REFILLING DEVICE FOR CAULKING GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed May 16, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I

LAURENCE J. WEGMAN W asafw May 26, 1964 L. J. WEGMAN 3,134,407

CARTRIDGE REFILLING DEVICE FOR CAULKING GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed May 16, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LAURENCE J. WEGMAN FIG. 2

United States Patent 3 134 497 CARTRHEGE REFlLLIfiG l)EVlCE FOR CAULKING GUNS ANE THE LEKE Laurence 3. Wegman, 12527 Mentz Hill Road, St. Louis County 28, Win. Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,094 12 Claims. (Cl. 141-18) This invention relates in general to devices for loading caulking guns and, more particularly, to a device for refilling cartridges adapted for use with caulking guns.

One type of caulking compounds presently being used in building construction for sealing window frames and the like consists of a material including a vehicle such as thiokol rubber. or the like which polymerizes upon the addition of an activator compound. in normal use, the activator compound is added to the material shortly before the caulking compound is to be used and the mixture is then quickly loaded into cartridges or tubes which are adapted to be used with caulking guns. However, after the activator is added, the caulking compound will setup very rapidly and the filled cartridges or tubes must be used within thirty to forty-five minutes after the activator has been added or must be stored at low temperature, usually in a freezer located in proximity to the caulking operation. Storage at low temperatures after the activator compound has been added will greatly retard the rate of polymerization. Obviously, therefore, it is highly desirable, once the activator is added to a small batch of caulkin compound, to load the entire batch into cartridges or tubes as quickly as possible so that the filled cartridges or tubes can be placed in the freezer in a minimum amount of time. Heretofore, such filling operations were carried out by hand or by rather inefiicient cumbersome equipment with the result that the filling operations are slow and relatively costly in terms of time and materials.

Moreover, the loading devices heretofore used are rather large and bulky and are not very readily transportable. ln addition, such devices are not very durable and require continuous replacement of parts. Furthermore, these devices are not adapted for quick break-down and cleaning operation and, therefore, consume the time of the operator in non-productive time operations.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges or tubes which will load caulking cartridges or tubes in a rapid, efficient, and clean manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a loading device of the type stated which is small, compact in size, and readily transportable.

it is a further object of the present invention to provide a loading device of the type stated which is designed to efiectively remove all or" the activated caulking compound within the device after the loading operation is completed.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a loading device of the type stated which is designed to load a large number of caulking cartridges within a small period of time, and requiring a minimum amount of manual effort.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a loading device of the type stated which is light in weight, sturdy in construction, and economical to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a loading device of the type stated which can be readily and very rapidly assembled and disassembled and, when disassembled, is compact and relatively light in weight for convenient transportability.

With the above and other objects in View, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction,

3,134,461? Patented May 26, 1964 arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets) FIG. 1 is a side elevational View of the caulking cartridge loading device constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the caulking cartridge loading device;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 33, 4-4, and 5-5, respectively, of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing an auxiliary method of loading a caulking cartridge.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges and the like, which device is preferably formed of aluminum or other light weight metal and comprises a rectilinear base 1. Rigidly secured to the upper face thereof by means of bolts b is a vertical support bar or upright 2 having a bottom plate 3 and a transversely extending web 4 which integrally merges into a forwardly extending flange 5, reference being made to FIG. 1. The flange 5 is integrally formed with an enlarged head portion 6 having an elongated vertically extending slot 7 adjacent its forward margin. The enlarged head portion 6 is integrally formed with a plurality of vertically aligned, spaced stepengageable projections or fingers which extend into the slot 7 thereby defining a plurality of vertically spaced grooves 9. The fingers 8 are formed so that the outer ends thereof project slightly downwardly. Therefore, the grooves extend rearwardly and upwardly for reasons which will presently more fully appear.

Rigidly, but detachably, secured to the base 1, by means of bolts 10, is a circular support plate 11 for retaining a conventional can C of caulking compound and which is conventionally sized and shaped.

Provided for stepwise engageable movement along the slot 7 is an actuating handle 12 having an integrally formed clevis 13 at its rearward end and including a pair of parallel arms 14-, 15, separated by a vertical slot 16. Extending between, and secured to, each of the arms 14, 15, adjacent its rearward margin is a bolt 17 which is retained by a nut 18, the bolt 17 being movable along the vertical distance of the slot '7 and being sized to fit within any of the plurality of grooves 9 for stepwise engagement with each of the fingers S. A rubber handle grip 19 can be secured to the outer end of the arm 14- if desired.

Pivotally secured to the clevis 13 by means of a removable pin 20 is a depending tubular stem 21 having a flattened upper end 22, the latter being provided with an aperture 23 for removable securement to the pin 2%. To permit quick release or disengagement, the pin 20 is integrally provided with a depending handle 24 which is, in turn, integrally provided with an extended flange 25, the latter being sized for a snug fitted seating under the head of a screw 26 secured to the arm 14. At its lower end, the tubular stem 21 opens downwardly in the provision of a socket 27 having a bayonet slot 28, all as best seen in FIG. 2 and for purposes presently more fully appearing. Provided for disposition in the open upper end of the can C is a circular piston-like plate 29 having an annular cylindrical side wal 34) which is diametrally sized to snugly, but nevertheless slidably, engage the interior vertical wall of the can C. Centrally of its upper face, the piston-like plate 29 is rigidly provided with an upstanding stud 31 adapted to fit snugly within the socket 27 of the tubular stem 21. Rigidly set into, and projecting radially from, the stud 31 is a small pin 32 adapted for locking engagement in the bayonet slot 23.

. thereof.

It'will thus be evident that the piston-like plate 29 can 'be removably attached to the tubular stem 21 for convenient and speedy assembly and disassembly. When the plate 29 is attached to the stem 21, it can, of course, be raised to any desired height by inserting the bolt 17 in any of the grooves 9 of the step-engageable projections or fingers 8. The piston-like plate 29 is further provided with a relatively large aperture 33 which is disposed in radially outwardly displaced relation to the stud 31 for accommodating an upstanding cylindrical charging tube 34, the lower end of whichis press-fitted into the aperture 33 and upset or curled over into firm seated engagement therein. The upper end of the charging tube 34 is provided with a slighttaper or inwardly curled bead 35 having a sharpened upper margin 36, all as'best seen in FIG; 6 and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

In use, a can C, which is initially filled to approximately three-fourths of its depth with unactivated caulking compound, is opened by removing the can top and chime with a can opener. The can top, chime, and can opener are conventional and, therefore, are not illustrated or ,described herein. It is sufiicient for present purposes merely to indicate that the can is opened in such a manner that it forms an open topped cylinder of uniform bore from top to bottom so that the piston-like plate 2% may presently be slipped downwardly therein. After the can C is opened, a proper quantity of activator is added and thoroughly intermixed with the caulking compound with the result that, after the mixing operation, the can will be filled with a heavy viscous, but nevertheless fluid, mixture of activated caulking compound.

Thereupon, the piston-like plate 29 is slipped into the top of the can C and the actuating handle 12 adjusted to a proper position along the slot 7 so as to assume an upwardly inclined angle of 30 to or, for that matter, any position which is convenient to the operator. A cartridge or tube t is then up-ended and slipped downwardly over the top of the charging tube 34 until its downwardly presented margin rests upon the upper face of the piston-like plate 29. Upon the application of downward pressure to the actuating handle 12, the piston-like plate 29 will move downwardly into the can C and apply compressive pressure to the caulk ng compound therein contained. Asa result, the caulking compound will flow upwardly through the charging tube 34. When the charging tube 34 is completely filled, continued downward force on the actuating handle 12 will cause the caulking compound to flow out of the upper end of the charging tube 34 into the upper end of the cartridge or tube t and impinge against the interior surface of the bottom Wall Since the cartridge or tube t is only loosely engaged exteriorly around the charging tube 34, continued downward force applied to the actuating handle 12 will extrude the caulking compound upwardly from the upper end of the charging tube 34, filling the cartridge or tube t V and, at the same time, lifting it bodily upwardly as it is filled. The cartridges or tubes 1 are ordinarily made of translucent polyethylene and it, therefore, is possible to visually notice the degree. to which the cartridge or tube t is progressively'being filled. Thus, it is possible, when the cartridge or tube 2 has been filled to Within approximately one inch of its end, to discontinue the downward force which is being applied to'the actuating handle 12 and the cartridge or tube I manually lifted upwardly from thecharging tube 34. The caulking compound, being relatively fluid, will string downwardly in a small tapering nexus extending between the body of caulking compound Within the tube t and the body of caulking compound Within the charging tube 34. As soon as the tube t has been lifted upwardly far enough to be clear of the charging tube 34, the open end of the tube 2 can be moved sidewise while being pressed against the margin or edge 36 of the charging tube 34 which will, in effect, cleanly sever this nexus and the filled tube t can immediately be placed in a freezer. Thereupon, successive tubes t can be charged in the same manner until the can C is completely emptied. After the can C containing the caulking compound has been completely emptied, the tube 34 will still be fully loaded with a quantity of activated caulking compound.

Accordingly, it is necessary to provide means for emptymg the tube 34. Such means comprises a mounting boss 37 having an outwardly extending lower flange 33 secured v to the base member 1 by means of bolts 39 and rigidly secured to the boss '37 by means of a set screw 4% is an upstanding stationary piston rod 41 having an enlarged head 4 The quick-release pin 20 is removed and the handle 12 lifted upwardly thereby being completely disengaged from the plate 29. The tube 34 which is carried by the plate 29 is then disposed over the stationary piston rod 41 where the plate 29 can be forced downwardly, causing the slot 28, thereby permitting removal ofithe entire piston like plate 29. Next, the handle 24 of the pin 20 is turned until the flange 25 falls out of engagement with the head of the screw 26. Thereupon, the entirepin 20 can be removed from the aperture 23, permitting the tubular stem 21 to be withdrawn from the actuating handle 12. The nut 18 can be unthreaded from the end of the bolt 17f for removal of the bolt 17 from each of the arms 14, 15, thereby permitting removal of the handle 12 from the enlarged head 6. This permits removal of the bolts b securing the bottom plate 3 to the base 1 for removal of the upright 2. Finally, the stationary piston rod 41 can be removed from the mounting boss 37 by loosening the set screw '40. Each of these parts can be conveniently packed and contained within a small carrying case (not shown).

When it is desired to assemble the loading device A, the reverse of the above-mentioned procedure is followed.

Accordingly, the stationary piston 41 is secured to the mounting boss 37 by means of the set screw 40. The upright 2 is then bolted to the base member 1 and the actuating handle 12is secured to the enlarged head 6 by inserting the bolt 17 in each of the apertures formed within the arms 14, 15, of the clevis 13 and retained therein by means of the nut 18. The tubular stem 21 is secured to the clevis 13 by inserting the removable pin 26 within the aperture 23 and turning the handle 24 so that the flange 25 engages the underside of the enlarged head forming part of the screw 27. Finally, the piston-like plate 29 is secured to the tubular stem 21'by inserting Cue pin 32 into the bayonet slot 23.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the cartridge refilling device for caulking guns and the like, may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim an desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like which have an essentially closed upper end and an open'bottom end, said loading device comprising base means, support means operatively mounted on said base means, a piston-like member shiftably mounted on said support means, power transference means for providing a downwardly directed force on said pistonlike member, cartridge, charging means mounted on the top of said piston-like member having an upper end, said, cartridge charging means being sized to snugly but never theless slidably engage a cartridge which is inserted over arenas-7 and supported by said charging means so as to prevent leakage, the upper end of the cartridge being in contact with the upper end of the charging means, and means associated with said cartridge charging means for causing caulking compound to flow upward through said cartridge charging means and against the upper end of said cartridge which forces the upper end of the cartridge to move upward and away from the upper end of the charging means, whereby said cartridge can be filled starting from the upper end to the lower end when said piston-like member is urged into a container of caulking compound that rests on the base means and is retained in that position solely by the piston-like member that is inserted therein.

2. A loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like which have an essentially closed upper end and an open bottom end, said loading device comprising base means, support means operatively mounted on said base means, power transference means operatively mounted on said support means, a piston-like member operatively mounted on said power transference means, said power transference means being adapted to apply a series of downwardly directed forces to said piston-like member, means operatively connected to said power transference means for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, cartridge charging means mounted on the top of said pistonlike member having an upper end, said cartridge charging means being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge which is inserted over and supported by said charging means so as to prevent leakage, the upper end of the cartridge being in contact with the upper end of the charging means, and means associated with said cartridge charging means for causing caulking compound to flow upward through said cartridge charging means and against the upper end of said cartridge which forces the upper end of the cartridge to move upward and away from the upper end of the charging means, whereby said cartridge can be filled starting from the upper end to the lower end when said piston-like member is urged into a container of caulking compound that rests on the base means and is retained in that position solely by the pistonlike member that is inserted therein.

3. A loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like which have an essentially closed upper end and an open bottom end, said loading device comprising base means, support means operatively mounted on said base means, power transference means operatively mounted on said support means, a piston-like member operatively mounted on said power transference means, said power transference means being adapted to apply a series of downwardly directed forces to said piston-like member, pivot means operatively connected to said power transference means, said pivot means being shiftable on said support means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, cartridge charging means mounted on the top of said piston-like member having an upper end, said cartridge charging means being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge which is inserted over and supported by said charging means so as to prevent leakage, the upper end of the cartridge being in contact with the upper end of the charging means, and means associated with said cartridge charging means for causing caulking compound to flow upward through said cartridge charging means and against the upper end of said cartridge which forces the upper end of the cartridge to move upward and away from the upper end of the charging means, whereby said cartridge can be filled starting from the upper end to the lower end when said piston-like member isu rged into a container of caulking compound that rests on the base means and is retained in that position solely by the piston-like member that is inserted therein.

4. A loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like, said loading device comprising base means, support means operatively mounted on said base means, said support means having an elongated slot and a 6 a plurality of step-engageable stationary projections in said slot, power transference means, pivot means operatively mounted on the end of said power transference means and being shiftable in said elongated slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said plurality of stepengageable projections for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, a piston-like member having a piston rod extending upwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to said power transference means in such a manner that the distance from pivot point to the pistonlike member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engage different projections, cartridge holding means mounted on said piston-like member and being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, and means associated with said cartridge holding means for causing caulking compound to flow through said cartridge holding means and into said cartridge, whereby said cartridge can be filled when said piston-like member is urged into a container of caulking compound that rests on the base means and which is retained in that position solely by the piston-like member whenever it is inserted therein.

5. A loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like, said loading device comprising base means, support means operatively mounted on said base means, said support means having an elongated slot and a plurality of step-engageable stationary projections in said slot, power transference means, pivot means operatively mounted on the end of said power transference means and being shiftable in said elongated slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said plurality of step-engageable projections for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, a tubular stem pivotally mounted on said power trans ference means, a piston-like member having a piston rod extending upwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to the lower end of said tubular stem in such a manner that the distance from pivot point to the piston-like member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engage different projections, cartridge holding means mounted on said piston-like member and being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, and means associated with said cartridge holding means for causing caulking compound to flow through said cartridge holding means and into said cartridge, whereby said cartridge can be filled when said piston-like member is urged into acontainer of caulking compound that rests on the base means and which is retained in that position solely by the piston-like member whenever it is inserted therein.

6. A loading device for use with caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like, said loading device comprising base means, support means operatively mounted on said base means, said support means having an elongated slot and a plurality of step-engageable stationary projections in said slot, power transference means, pivot means operatively mounted on the end of said power transference means and being shiftable in said elongated slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said plurality of step-engageable projections for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, a tubular stem pivotally mounted on said power transference means, a piston-like member having a piston rod extending upwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to the lower end of said tubular stem in such a manner that the distance from pivot point to the piston-like member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engage different projections, and a hollow cylindrical tube mounted on said piston-like member and being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, said piston-like member having an aperture in alignment with said hollow cylindrical tube, whereby said cartridge can be filled with a caulking compound when said piston-like member is forced downwardly into a container of caulking compound that rests r 7 on the base means and which is retained in that position solely by the piston-like member whenever it is inserted therein.

plurality of stepengageable stationary projections in said slot, power transference means, pivot means operatively mounted on the end of said power transference means and being shiftable in said elongated slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said plurality of step-engageable. projections for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spacedpositions, a tubular stem pivotally mounted on said power transference means, a piston-like member having a piston rod extendingupwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to the lower end of said tubular stemin such a manner that the distance from pivot point to the piston-like member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engage different projections, and a hollow cylindrical tube mounted on said piston-like member. and being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, said piston-like member having an aperture in alignment with said hollow cylindrical tube, said cylindrical tube having a tapered upper end for re- .moving excess caulking compound from the lower end of in a selected position, support means operatively mounted 'on said base means, said support means having an elongated slot and a plurality of step-engageable stationary projections in said slot, power. transference means, pivot means operatively mounted on the end of said power transferen ce means and being shiftable in said elongated slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said plurality or" step-engageable projections for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, a piston-like member'having a piston rod extending upwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to, the power transference means in such a manner that the distance from the pivot point to the piston-like member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engage different projections, a hollow cylindrical tube mountedon said piston-like member and being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage'a cartridge, said piston-like member having an apers ture in alignment with said hollow cylindrical tube, where by said cartridge can be filled with plastic material when said piston-like member is forced downwardly into said container, said cylindrical tube having a tapered upper end for removing excess plastic material from the lower end of the filled cartridge and purging means mounted on said base in laterally spaced relation to the piston for operative disposition within the cylindrical tube when said cylindrical tube and piston-like member are removed from the container after filling the cartridge, whereby to purge the cylindrical tube of retained plastic material.

'9. A loading device for extruding a quantity of plastic material out of a container into caulking gun cartridges,

tubes, and the like having an end wall against which the quantity" of plastic material abuts, said loading device comprising base means adapted to support the container in a selected position, support means operatively mounted on said base means, said support means having an elongated slot and a plurality of step-engageable stationary tions, a'hollow cylindrical tube mounted onsaid pistonprojections in said slot, power transference means, pivot slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said a plurality of step-en ageable projections for shiftingsaid power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions, a piston-like member having a pis ton rod extending upwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to the power transference means in such a manner that the distance from the pivot point to the piston-like member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engage difierent projections said piston-like member being located for insertion into the container and operational movement axially with respect thereto, a hollow cylindrical tube mounted on said piston-like member and being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, said piston-like ember having an aperture in alignment with said hols low cylindrical tube, whereby'said cartridge can be filled with plastic material when said piston-like member is said stationary piston means being sized for insertion into,

said cylindrical tube when said cylindrical tube and pistonlike member are removed from the container after filling a cartridge, whereby to purge the cylindrical tube of retained plastic material. 7 7

10. A load ng device for extruding a quantity of plastic material out of a container into caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like having an end Wall against which the quantity of plastic material abuts, said loading device comprising base means adapted to support the container iri a selected position, support means operatively mounted on said base means, said support means having an elongated slot and a plurality of step-engageable stationary projections in said slot, power transference means, pivot means operatively mounted on the end of said power transference means and being shiftable in said elongated slot, said pivot means being engageable with any of said plurality of step-engageable projections for shifting said power transference means to any of a plurality of vertically spaced positions a piston-like member having a piston rod extending upwardly therefrom, said piston rod being pivotally secured at a pivot point to the power transierence means in such a manner that the distance from the pivot point to the piston-like member does not vary as the pivot means are made to engagedifferent projeclower end of the filled cartridge, a stationary rod, means.

for removably securing said stationary rod to said'base means in such position that the rod will be located in laterally spaced relation to the container when the latter is in said selected position, and an enlarged head mounted on the upper end of said stationary rod, said enlarged head being adapted for insertion into said cylindrical tube and being sized for snugly but nevertheless slidably engaging the internal wall of said'cylindrical tube for forcing plastic material'out of said cylindrical tube when the cylindrical tube and piston-like member are removed from the container after fillin the cartridge, whereby to purge the cylindrical tube of retained plastic material. a

11. A loading device for extruding a quantity" of plastic material out of a container into caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like having an end Wallagainst which the quantity of plastic material abuts, said loading device comprising base means adapted to support the container in a selected position, support means operatively mounted on said base means, a plate-like member having an aperture, means operatively mounting said plate-like member upon said support means, in such position that the plate-like member can be inserted into the container, means for pushing the plate-like member axially into said container whereby to apply pressure upon the plastic material contained therein, an open-ended tubular member mounted on said plate-like member and communicating with the underside of said plate-like member through said aperture, said tubular member being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, so that when the plate-like member is pushed into the container the plastic material will flow through the tubular member into the cartridge and impinge against the endwall thereof causing the cartridge to slide along the tubular member as this plastic material flows into the cartridge, and stationary piston means mounted on said base in laterally spaced relation to the container when the latter is in said selected position and being sized for insertion into said tubular member for forcing the caulking compound out of the open end of the tubular member when said plate-like member is urged downwardly thereon.

12. A loading device for extruding a quantity of plastic material out of a container into caulking gun cartridges, tubes, and the like having an end wall against which the quantity of plastic material abuts, said loading device comprising base means adapted to support the container in a selected position, support means operatively mounted on said base means, a plate-like member having an aperture, means operatively mounting said plate-like member upon said support means, in such position that the platelike member can be inserted into the container, means for pushing the plate-like member axially into said container whereby to apply pressure upon the plastic material contained therein, an open-ended tubular member mounted on said plate-like member and communicating with the underside of said plate-like member through said aperture, said tubular member being sized to snugly but nevertheless slidably engage a cartridge, so that when the platelike member is pushed into the container the plastic material will flow through the tubular member into the cartridge and impinge against the endwall thereof causing the cartridge to slide along the tubular member as this plastic material flows into the cartridge, and a stationary rod secured to said base means in laterally spaced relation to the container when the latter is in said selected position and having an enlarged head at its upper end, said enlarged head being sized for insertion into said aperture and tubular member and being sized for snugly but nevertheless slidably engaging the internal wall of said tubular member for forcing the caulking compound out of the open end of the tubular member when said platelike member is urged downwardly thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,719,329 Huntley July 2, 1929 1,922,277 Carson et al. Aug. 15, 1933 1,933,463 Volland Oct. 31, 1933 2,224,509 Canine Dec. 10, 1940 2,655,289 Peal Oct. 13, 1953 2,726,802 Jones Dec. 13, 1955 

8. A LOADING DEVICE FOR EXTRUDING A QUANTITY OF PLASTIC MATERIAL OUT OF A CONTAINER INTO CAULKING GUN CARTRIDGES, TUBES, AND THE LIKE, HAVING AN END WALL AGAINST WHICH THE QUANTITY OF PLASTIC MATERIAL ABUTS, SAID LOADING DEVICE COMPRISING BASE MEANS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT THE CONTAINER IN A SELECTED POSITION, SUPPORT MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE MEANS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING AN ELONGATED SLOT AND A PLURALITY OF STEP-ENGAGEABLE STATIONARY PROJECTIONS IN SAID SLOT, POWER TRANSFERENCE MEANS, PIVOT MEANS OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON THE END OF SAID POWER TRANSFERENCE MEANS AND BEING SHIFTABLE IN SAID ELONGATED SLOT, SAID PIVOT MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH ANY OF SAID PLURALITY OF STEP-ENGAGEABLE PROJECTIONS FOR SHIFTING SAID POWER TRANSFERENCE MEANS TO ANY OF A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED POSITIONS, A PISTON-LIKE MEMBER HAVING A PISTON ROD EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID PISTON ROD BEING PIVOTALLY SECURED AT A PIVOT POINT TO THE POWER TRANSFERENCE MEANS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE DISTANCE FROM THE PIVOT POINT TO THE PISTON-LIKE MEMBER DOES NOT VARY AS THE PIVOT MEANS ARE MADE TO ENGAGE DIFFERENT PROJECTIONS, A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL TUBE MOUNTED ON SAID PISTON-LIKE MEMBER AND BEING SIZED TO SNUGLY BUT NEVERTHELESS SLIDABLY ENGAGE A CARTRIDGE, SAID PISTON-LIKE MEMBER HAVING AN APERTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL TUBE, WHEREBY SAID CARTRIDGE CAN BE FILLED WITH PLASTIC MATERIAL WHEN 